So, for being a self professed beer buff, it has been noted that outside ofnthr usual offerings like Warsteiner and Veltins pilsners (superb in both regards BTW....), my experience of German beer styles was practically zero.
It is time to fix this.
After quite frankly stunning successes with Helles (Augustiner), kolsh (Fuhr) and Salt (Gosslinger), it was time to hunt down other styles, tout sweet.
After a fortuitous (and some would say career jeopardising) visit to a Liverpool beer boutique on a lunch hour on a field trip, I find myself the proud owner of four new Teutonic brews, one being this bottle of Shwanenbrau Kellerbier.
Kellerbier has intrigued me since reading about the style on various websites, a pale ale which is unfiltered and cellared? Sounds like a winner already.
On cracking the swing top masterpiece that is the bottle, Shwannenbrau Keller pours a hazy golden straw, much like a southern pale ale. The head originally manifests as a rocky white cap of moderate thickness, quickly disappearing to a very thin lace cap. Whether this is typical of the style I am unsure, it could be a case that the tankard is a tad dirty. No matter, the stuff is disappearing down the gullet anyway, and the hazy summer glow from the body more than whettes the appetitie on its own.
The aroma? A subtle hint of hay and malt sweetness, Shwannen is quite subdued in its nasal charms, which gives a hint to the soft, but delightful taste profile of this wonderful ale.
On the taste buds, Shwannen Keller starts with a sweet malt, almost biscuity suggestion, flowing to a hay like middle and a slow, mild transitioning to a subtle hoppy bitterness, incredibly satisfying and dangerously easy drinking....
In terms of mouth feel, this ale is very lightly carbonated and light, however there is a substance which reassuringly reminds you that you are drinking a quality ale, with body, but by no means cloying.
Overall? I may not be completely au fait with the drinking culture of the Germanic state, however I imagine Kellerbier to occupy a similar niche to that not pale ales here in the UK, a soft, eminently refreshing session quaffer to enjoy while reminiscing with good company in a country bierhaus. In this image, Shwannen Keller fits the bill beautifully. It offers a refreshing thirst quencher which does not have the dry bite of a pilsner or the creamy clove and bannana of a wheat beer, a fantastic initiation ale or session drink which I will be buying again!
Happy Supping!

(bottle) murky golden colour with a frothy off-white head and lots of tiny floaties. aroma of cardboard and peaches, slightly alcoholic, with a hint of vanilla and cashew nuts. flavour is mostly starchy pale malts with more alcohol, dried apricots, some cherries, nettles and yeast in the dry finish. full-bodied with soft carbonation.

Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community.
Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings.
Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!